Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-14
Countess nalODa.
gy WILKIE COLLINS.
CHAPTER XVI.


The scenario, or outline, of the countess
play began with no formal predatory phrases.
She presented herself and her work with the
easy familiarity of an old friend.
"Allow me, dear Mr.. Francis Westwick, to |
introduce to you the persons in my proposed |
play Behold them arranged symmetrlcaily |
in a line.
1.-THE lord. The baron. The courier. The
doctor. The countess.
II don't trouble myself you see, to invent
fictitious family names My characters are
sufficiently distinguished by their social titles,
and by the striking contrast which they pre-
sent one with another,
"fhe first act opens
"Nol Before open the first act must an
ncunce, in Justice to myself, that this play is
entirely the work of my own invention. |
scorn to borrow from actual events; and,
what is more extraordinary still, have not
stolen one OF nv ideas from the modern
French drama As the manager of an Eng
lish theatre, you will naturally refuse to be-
lieve this 1t doesn't matter. Nothing rat
ters-except the opening of my first act.
ave are at Homburg, in the famous Salon
dor, at the height of the season. The coun-
tess texquisitely dressed is seated at the green
table Strangers of all nations are standing
behind the players venturing their money, or
only looking on My lord is among the
strangers. He is struck by the countess
personal appearance, in which beauties and
defects are Enthusiastically mingled in the most
attractive manner. He watches the coun-
tess game, and places his money where he
sees her deposit her own little stake. She
looks round at him, and says, Don't trust to
my color; have been unlucky the whole
evening Play your stake on the other color,
and you may have a chance Of winning My
lord Ia true EnGlishman) bushes, bows and
obeys. The countess proves a true prophet
She loses again My lord wins twice the sum
that he has risked.
"The countess rises from the table She
has no more money, and she offers my lord
her chair.
INSTEAD of taking it, he politely places his
winnings in her hand, and begs her to accept
the loan as a favor to himself. The countess
stakes again, and loses again. Ny lord smiles
superbly, and presses a second loan on her.
From that moment her luck turns. She wins,
and wins largely. Her brother, the baron,
trying his fortune in another room, hears of
what is going on, and joins my lord and the
countess
PAY attention, if you please, to the baron.
He is delineated as a remarkable and interest
ing character.
This noble person las begun life with
single minded devotion to the science of ex-
perimental chemistry, very surprising in a
young and handsome man with a brilliant
future before HIM. A profound knowledge
OF the occult sciences mas persuaded the baron
that 1t is possible to solve the famous prob
lem called the Philosophers Stone His own
pecuniary resources have long since been ex-
hansted by his costly experiments. His sister
has next supplied him with the small fortune
at her disposal; reserving only the family jew
els, placed in the charge of her banker and
friend at Frankfort The countess fortune
also being swallowed up. the baron has in a
fatal moment sought for new supplies at the
gaming table He proves, at starting on his
perilous career, to be favorite of fortune;
wins largely, and alas profanes his noble en-
thusiasm by yielding his soul to the all debas
ing passion of the gameSter.
"At the period of the play the baron's good
fortune has deserted him. He sees his way
to a GROWING experiment in the fatal search
after the secret Of transmitting the basel
metals into gold. But how is he to pay the
preliminary expenses: Destiny, like mock
ing echo, answers How
"Nill his sisters winnings with my lordi
money! prove large enough to help him
Eager for this result he gives the COUNTIES
his advice how to play. From that disastrou
moment the infection of his own adverse for
tune spreads to his sister. She loses again an,
again-loses to the last farthing
"The amiable and wealthy lord offers
third loan, but the scrupulous countess posi-
lively refuses to take it. On leaving the tabl
she presents her brother to my lord TIL
gentlemen fall into pleasant talk Nv lor
asks leave to pay his respects to the COUNTIES
the next morning at her hotel. The harol
Hospitality invites him to breakfast. My lore
accepts, with a last admiring glance at tn
countess which does not escape her brother
observation, and takes his leave for the night
Alone with his sister, the baron speak
out plainly. Our affairs, he says, are in ,
desperate condition and must find desperat
remedy. Wait for me here while make in
4uiries about my lord. You have evident
produced a strong impression on him If W
can turn that impression into money, n
matter at what sacrifice, the thing must
done
'The countess now occupies the stage alon
and INDUCES in soliloquy which develop
her character
at is at once a dangerous and attractiv
character. Immense capacities for good ar
implanted in her nature side by side wit
equally remarkable capacities for evil
rests with circumstances 10 develop either tn
one or the other. Being a person who prC
tuha oh
noble lady is naturally made the subject c
all sorts of scandalous reports To one c
these reports-which falsely and abominabl
points to the baron as her lover instead of he
brother-she now refers with Just indignt
tion. She has just expressed her desire t
leave Homburg, as the place in which the vii
calumny first took its rise, when the baro
returns, overhears her last words, and say
to her, Yes leave Homburg by all mean.
provided you leave it in the character of m
lords betrothed wifer
"1he countess is startled and shocked. Sh
protests that she does not reciprocate m
lords admiration for her She even goes tt
length Of refusing to see him again. Til
baron answers, i must positively have con
mand of money. Take your choice, betwee
marrying my lords income, iii the interest
my grand discoyery-or leave me to sell m,
self and my title to the first rich woman
low degree who is ready to buy me-
"The countess listens in surprise and di
may. Is it possible that the baron is
earnest He is horribly in earnest. TT
woman who will buy me- he says, is in IL
next room to US at this moment She is Il
wealthy widow Of Jewish usurer. She hi
the money want to reach the solution of I'll
great problem | have only to be tn
woman's husband, and to make myself mast
Of untold millions Of gold Take five minut
to consider what / have told you, and tell n
on my return which of US is to marry for Il
money want, you or L.
@As he turns away, the countess stops hiI
"All the noblest sentiments in her natu
are exalted to the highest pitch Where
the true woman she exclaims, who war
time to consummate the sacrifice Of l,erse
when the man to whom She is devoted q
mands itF
"She does not want five minutes: she dc
not want five seconds-she holds out her ha
to him, and she says: Sacrifice me on t
altar of your gloryl Take as stepping stor
on the way to your triumph, my love, I
liberty and my lifev
son this grand situation the curtain fal
Judging by my first act, Mr.. Wes.wick, t
me truly, and don't be afraid of turning II
head. Am not capable of writing a go
play"
Henry paused between the first and seco
pptc--rptiartinfr NOT h. Il